August 18, 2008	Monday	Sha'aban 15, 1429

LONDON, Aug 17: Arsenal launched their bid for a first Premier League crown in five years with a comfortable 1-0 win over promoted West Bromwich Albion on the opening day of the season on Saturday.

Liverpool, who have their eyes on a first title since 1990, also got off to a winning start by beating Sunderland 1-0 at the Stadium of Light with a late goal from Fernando Torres.

Champions Manchester United and runners-up Chelsea, the other two members of the Big Four, are at home on Sunday against Newcastle United and FA Cup holders Portsmouth respectively.

Hull City celebrated their first top-flight match with a 2-1 win over visitors Fulham but Stoke City, back among the elite for the first time since 1985, lost 3-1 at Bolton Wanderers.

A lot is expected of Liverpool this season with Robbie Keane’s arrival from Tottenham Hotspur expected to add even more potency to their attack.

But they only scored after Keane went off, Torres taking his chance superbly by scoring with a low shot from 20 metres.

Bolton start the season top of the table after scoring the biggest win of the day over Stoke at the Reebok Stadium with all three goals coming before halftime.

Gretar Steinsson scored with a long-range effort, Kevin Davies and Johan Elmander, Bolton’s record signing making his debut, added the others. Ricardo Fuller scored in the last minute for Stoke.

Promoted Hull marked their first match in the top division in their 104-year history with a 2-1 win over Fulham. Goals by Geovanni and substitute Caleb Folan gave them the points after Seol Ki-Hyeon headed Fulham in front after eight minutes.

David Wheater and former Spurs striker Mido, a late substitute, scored as Middlesbrough beat Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 at the Riverside Stadium after Wheater had what looked like a valid goal wrongly disallowed in the first half.

Spurs scored when Boro defender Robert Huth conceded an own goal in stoppage time.

Dean Ashton scored twice in the opening 10 minutes for West Ham United to establish a 2-0 lead over Wigan Athletic at Upton Park. Amr Zaki scored for Wigan early in the second half but West Ham held on for a 2-1 win.

Blackburn Rovers won an astonishing match 3-2 at Everton with the teams trading the lead before Andre Ooijer scored a last-minute winner to give manager Paul Ince a victory in his first Premier League match in charge of the visitors.

Results:

Arsenal 1 West Bromwich Albion 0

Bolton Wanderers 3 Stoke City 1

Everton 2 Blackburn Rovers 3

Hull City 2 Fulham 1

Middlesbrough 2 Tottenham Hotspur 1

Sunderland 0 Liverpool 1

West Ham United 2 Wigan Athletic 1

—Reuters